The major in philosophy is built around the central texts in the history of Western thought. Philosophy focuses on the perennial problems raised by the encounter of human beings with their history, culture, and the world. It emphasizes methods of analysis and clarity of argumentation. Students who major in philosophy have the broadest possible preparation in the liberal arts.
Students who complete a major in philosophy are prepared to enter either graduate programs or the world of work. In addition to providing vocational skills and a solid foundation for graduate work in the discipline, a major in philosophy constitutes appropriate and strong preparation for graduate work in other academic disciplines as well as in professional programs in a broad variety of fields. The Department of Philosophy and Humanities is prepared to work with students who are interested in post-graduate professional education to assure that their preparation meets disciplinary and/or professional criteria and expectations in areas including law, business administration, and theology. The faculty of the Department of Philosophy and Humanities also work with advisors in the Health Professions Advising Office of the College of Science to ensure that philosophy majors pursuing a pre-medical curriculum are kept abreast of required and recommended courses outside the major.
Career options for the Philosophy major.
The philosophy major at UTA provides all of the course work necessary for further graduate study in philosophy. However, philosophy majors do much more than go on to graduate school and careers in teaching philosophy. Because a philosophy major is trained to think and write clearly, an undergraduate degree is excellent preparation for careers in many fields. Recent philosophy graduates have gone on to work in social service fields, business, and government. The cultural depth and practical skills acquired by a philosophy major do not go out of date with changing economic conditions.
Statistics show that philosophy majors consistently score among the highest majors in the admission test for graduate school in other fields and in Medicine (MCAT) and the Law (LSAT). Philosophy is thus a very good pre- professional major. Philosophy graduates from UTA have been admitted to law school, medical school, theological school, and MBA programs. In order to enhance the pre-professional options for philosophy majors, the department has special advisors available in each of these areas. These advisors will assist students in choosing major and minor courses which will aid in their professional choices and in scheduling courses that will satisfy all admission requirements for professional schools. The department has a pre- law advisor, a pre-theology advisor, a pre-medical advisor, and a pre-MBA advisor. Students interested in professional degrees are encouraged to discuss with the appropriate advisor the advantages of a philosophy major.
Pre-Professional Track:
The pre-professional track major in philosophy requires 33 hours in philosophy. Students should take one introductory course (PHIL 1310 or 2300), symbolic logic (PHIL 2311), and the research methods and philosophical writing seminar (PHIL 3307). These courses provide the foundation in the discipline. In addition, students are required to take ancient and modern philosophy (PHIL 3301 and 3303) which treat major writers in the history of philosophy in depth, at least one course from the "metaphysics and epistemology" group (PHIL 3318, 3321, 4385, 4386, 4388, or 4389), and at least one course from the "value theory" group (PHIL 2312, 2313, 3316, 3319, 3320, 3330, or 4387). The remainder of their philosophy course work may be chosen according to the students' areas of interest, but must include nine other advanced hours--with a total of at least six hours at the 4000 level (including any 4000-level "metaphysics and epistemology" or "value theory" courses, but not including PHIL 4394). Students in the pre-professional track must take the senior thesis course (PHIL 4394) and complete a senior thesis sometime during their final year.
General Track:
The general track major in philosophy is designed for students who wish to combine their philosophy major with elective course work focused on one or two areas of secondary emphasis--for example, business, classical studies, cognitive science, computer science engineering, history, humanities/liberal arts, mathematics, or political science--and an optional minor. The general track requires 27 hours in philosophy. Students should take one introductory course (PHIL 1310 or 2300), symbolic logic (PHIL 2311), and the research methods and philosophical writing seminar (PHIL 3307). They are required to take 18 additional hours in philosophy to complete the major (12 advanced hours, with at least six hours at the 4000 level).
Admission to the Philosophy Major:
Students should have completed 30 hours of core with 30 hours at U.T. Arlington, or 40 hours of core with 12 hours at U.T. Arlington with an overall GPA greater than 2.0. Before being accepted into the major in philosophy, students must also have passed a course in symbolic logic (PHIL 2311 or the equivalent). Students may be accepted as pre-philosophy majors if the above standards are not met.
Requirements For a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy
(Pre-Professional Track)
English
Six hours of composition.
Literature
Three hours of English or foreign language literature or other approved substitute.
Three hours above the freshman level of literature, or social and cultural studies designated as taught in the College of Liberal Arts, or fine arts or philosophy, or technical writing.
History
1311, 1312.
Political Science
2311, 2312.
Modern and Classical Languages
1441, 1442, 2313, and 2314, or equivalent.
Mathematics
Six hours (MATH 1301 or higher; credit will not be given for both MATH 1301 and MATH 1302).
Science
Eight hours in a single lab science (biology, chemistry, geology or physics).
Fine Arts
Three hours from architecture, art, dance, music, or theatre arts.
Social/Cultural Studies
Three hours from designated courses in archaeology, classical studies, communication, economics, history, humanities, linguistics, political science, social or cultural anthropology, social/political/cultural geography, social psychology, sociology and women's studies or other courses which have been approved by the Undergraduate Assembly. (See your undergraduate philosophy advisor for a list of recommended courses.)
Electives
Sufficient to give the total number of hours required for the degree.
Major
33 hours of philosophy to include 1310 or 2300, and 2311; 3301; 3303; 3307; at least one course from the "metaphysics and epistemology" group (3318, 3321, 4385, 4386, 4388, 4389); at least one course from the "value theory" group (2312, 2313, 3316, 3319, 3320, 3330, 4387); and nine other advanced hours with a total of at least six hours at the 4000 level (including any 4000-level "metaphysics and epistemology" or "value theory" courses, but not including 4394). In addition, students in the pre-professional track must take 4394 and complete a senior thesis sometime during their final year.
Minor
18 hours, at least six of which must be 3000/4000 level.
Total
120 hours, at least 36 of which must be 3000/4000 level.
Requirements for a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy
(General Track)
English
Six hours of composition.
Literature
Three hours of English or foreign language literature or other approved substitute.
Liberal Arts Elective
Three hours above the freshman level of literature, or social and cultural studies designated as taught in the College of Liberal Arts, or fine arts or philosophy, or technical writing.
History
1311, 1312.
Political Science
2311, 2312.
Modern and Classical Languages
1441, 1442, 2313, and 2314, or equivalent.
Mathematics
Six hours (MATH 1301 or higher; credit will not be given for both MATH 1301 and MATH 1302).
Science
Eight hours in a single lab science (biology, chemistry, geology or physics).
Fine Arts
Three hours from architecture, art, dance, music, or theatre arts.
Social/Cultural Studies
Three hours from designated courses in archaeology, classical studies, communication, economics, history, humanities, linguistics, political science, social or cultural anthropology, social/political/cultural geography, social psychology, sociology and women's studies or other courses which have been approved by the Undergraduate Assembly. (See the undergraduate philosophy advisor for a list of recommended courses.)
Electives
Sufficient to give the total number of hours required for the degree: In consultation with their undergraduate philosophy advisor and in light of their individual aims and interests, students in the general track are to select electives concentrated primarily in one or two areas of secondary emphasis--for example, business, classical studies, cognitive science, computer science engineering, history, humanities/liberal arts, mathematics, or political science.
Major
27 hours of philosophy to include 1310 or 2300, and 2311; 3307; and 18 additional hours (12 advanced hours, with at least six hours at the 4000 level).
Optional Minor
General-track students may pursue a minor after filing a statement of intent with their undergraduate advisor. Requires 18 hours, at least six of which must be 3000/4000 level.
Total
120 hours, at least 36 of which must be 3000/4000 level.
Requirements for a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy
(Pre-Law Option)
Students interested in the Pre-Law Option must complete the requirements for the Pre-Professional Track degree in philosophy, while selecting their elective course work in consultation with the Philosophy/Pre-Law faculty advisor.
Requirements for a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy
(Mind, Language, and Cognition Option)
Students interested in the Mind, Language, and Cognition (MLC) Option must complete the requirements for the General Track degree in philosophy, with a minor in linguistics, and psychology as their area of secondary emphasis for elective course work. Although specific major, minor, and elective courses should be selected in consultation with the MLC advisor in philosophy, typical courses include LING 2301, LING 3311, LING 3330, LING 3340, LING 4317, LING 4389 (Semantics), PHIL 2300, PHIL 2311, PHIL 3307, PHIL 3317, PHIL 3318, PHIL 3321, PHIL 4385, PHIL 4386 or PHIL 4388 (Hermeneutics), PHIL 4389 (Mind), PSYC 1315, PSYC 2441, PSYC 2442, PSYC 3431, PSYC 4332, and PSYC 4333. (Students who intend to apply to graduate school may elect to complete the requirements for the Pre-Professional Track degree in philosophy, with the minor in linguistics and elective course work in psychology.)
Requirements for a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy
(Philosophy and Classics Option)
Students interested in the Philosophy and Classics Option typically complete the requirements for the General Track degree in philosophy, with a minor in Classical Studies, and are required to fulfill their language requirement with Greek; with advisors' approval, students may choose to substitute Latin, French, or German. Specific major, minor, and elective courses should be selected in consultation with the philosophy undergraduate advisor and the director of Classical Studies. (Students who intend to apply to graduate school may elect to complete the requirements for the Pre-Professional Track degree in Philosophy, with the minor in Classical Studies, and the language hours in Greek.)
Oral Communication Competency
Students majoring in philosophy may demonstrate competency in oral communication by (a) successful completion of a specific course approved by the Department of Philosophy and Humanities for this purpose, or (b) successful completion of any course from among those approved by the Undergraduate Assembly.
Computer Use Competency
Students majoring in philosophy may demonstrate competency in computer use by (a) successful completion of PHIL 3307, or (b) successful completion of any course from among those approved by the Undergraduate Assembly for this purpose, or (c) passing the University proficiency examination in computer use.